Are You Making A Difference?

I have a great job. I get to work with an amazing group of women (and a couple of men) at Assistance League of Flintridge, also known as ALF. Our local chapter is part of National Assistance League, which was founded by Anne Banning early last century. After the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and fire that followed, Banning formed a relief unit to help victims and later organized a Red Cross unit in Los Angeles during WWI providing food and clothing to families significantly affected by the war. This dynamic group of volunteers called themselves Assistance League with the selfless purpose of helping wherever needed. The organization has since grown to 120 chapters nationwide and its focus remains to make our communities better places to live. ALF has been serving La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding area since 1954.

On any given week, the volunteer members at ALF are busy working in the Bargain Box Thrift Shop that is the sole revenue source for the organization, aside from direct donations. The members administer a variety of enrichment programs for school-aged children such as instrumental music, drama and summer school. Together with their two auxiliaries, the Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP) and Assisteens, ALF also provides meals, school and hygiene supplies, toys, books, clothing and comfort items to children and families in need. Members give generously with their time and with their pocketbooks. Imagine being in an environment where kindness and generosity abounds and everyone pitches in to help. I am so pleased to be administrative support to such a positive ongoing effort.

During the early progression of COVID-19, the Bargain Box Thrift Shop was closed for the health and safety of the members and the community. Donations to the store were halted as well to reduce the chance of germ transmission. School programs were canceled while distance learning became the norm and we took a pause. Well, at least that’s what it looked like on the surface.
Behind the scenes, members immediately figured out how to meet online and began to plan how the programs could safely continue. Drama and music went virtual and all classes and performances this season have been held via Zoom and YouTube. Both outreach programs, Operation School Bell and ALFies in Action, re-evaluated community needs, not only providing supplies in the safest way possible but donating MacBooks to the schools for students to use at home and passing out via a drive-thru line special eyeglasses that cut down screen glare. CAP members arranged for meals for the medical staff at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital during the time when the first responders were very busy and had few breaks. Assisteens masked-up and assembled supply kits for distribution. Everyone was doing what they could to continue to serve the community.

The members are now ready to get Bargain Box Thrift Shop back on track, too. The store will re-open and take donations as of June 1.

Assistance League of Flintridge is only one of hundreds of service organizations throughout the Southland and there are literally thousands of volunteers who give of themselves every day, both through these groups and as individuals. During the pandemic, community members stepped up to give blood, donate to food banks, gather supplies and help others or simply made masks at home. Volunteers have had to change their focus and we are grateful for their heroic efforts.
This year, National Volunteer Week began April 18 and it came and went without the regular hoopla and calls to action. But rest assured, people were already working behind the scenes and making a difference in their neighborhoods. Volunteers are working harder than ever.

I found my volunteer niche by being a voice for my community, tackling tough issues, then writing about it. Find your passion, then get out and help wherever needed.